Are performance charts on the FAA Private Pilot knowledge test?
Yes.
Performance charts are part of ACS Task PA.I.F, Performance and Limitations, which asks you to explain the use of charts, tables, and data to determine performance.
The ACS states that "Knowledge and risk management elements are primarily evaluated during the knowledge testing phase of the airman certification process." It does not publish how many questions each topic gets, so this page lists the tasks and elements that cover the topic instead.
In plain words
Performance charts turn conditions into numbers, such as how much runway a takeoff needs or how fast the airplane climbs. PA.I.F.K1 asks you to explain the use of charts, tables, and data to determine performance, and PA.I.F.K2 lists what changes the answer: atmospheric conditions, pilot technique, airplane configuration, the airport environment, loading and weight and balance.
The risk elements add a caution: a calculated number is not a promise. PA.I.F.R3 names the possible differences between calculated performance and actual performance.
What the FAA says you must know
Area of Operation I, Task F. Performance and Limitations (PA.I.F)
Objective: To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with operating an airplane safely within the parameters of its performance capabilities and limitations.
Knowledge: the applicant demonstrates understanding of:
- PA.I.F.K1 Elements related to performance and limitations by explaining the use of charts, tables, and data to determine performance.
- PA.I.F.K2 Factors affecting performance, including:
- PA.I.F.K2a Atmospheric conditions
- PA.I.F.K2b Pilot technique
- PA.I.F.K2c Airplane configuration
- PA.I.F.K2d Airport environment
- PA.I.F.K2e Loading [e.g., center of gravity (CG)]
- PA.I.F.K2f Weight and balance
- PA.I.F.K3 Aerodynamics.
Risk management: the applicant is able to identify, assess, and mitigate risk associated with:
- PA.I.F.R1 Use of performance charts, tables, and data.
- PA.I.F.R3 Possible differences between calculated performance and actual performance.
Skills: the applicant exhibits the skill to:
- PA.I.F.S2 Use the appropriate airplane performance charts, tables, and data.
Source: FAA, Private Pilot for Airplane Category Airman Certification Standards (FAA-S-ACS-6C, November 2023), quoted as published; the page lists the elements that cover this topic, not every element of each task. Skill elements are tested on the practical test, where the ACS says the evaluator must test each one by observing the applicant perform it.
Original practice questions
Written by Capxule from the ACS text quoted above. These are not FAA questions.
1. Which of these is NOT listed in PA.I.F.K2 as a factor affecting performance?
- A. Airport environment
- B. Airplane configuration
- C. Radio frequency
Show the answer
C. Radio frequency
PA.I.F.K2 lists atmospheric conditions, pilot technique, airplane configuration, airport environment, loading and weight and balance (PA.I.F.K2a to PA.I.F.K2f). Radio frequency is not among them.
2. Which ACS risk element warns that a chart result may not match what the airplane actually does?
- A. PA.I.F.R1
- B. PA.I.F.R2
- C. PA.I.F.R3
Show the answer
C. PA.I.F.R3
PA.I.F.R3 is "Possible differences between calculated performance and actual performance." R1 is the use of the charts and R2 is airplane limitations.
Practise for the FAA Private Pilot knowledge test
Original practice questions written from current FAA sources, with mock tests that follow the published test format.
Start the practice testOther topics on the FAA Private Pilot knowledge test
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